INEC declares prison inmate winner of Enugu assembly seat
In a controversial and historic turn of events, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Bright Ngene of the Labour Party (LP), a legal practitioner currently serving a jail term, the winner of the Enugu South 1 State Constituency rerun election held on Saturday, August 16, 2025.
According to News Point Nigeria, Ngene is an inmate at the Enugu Custodial Centre, but his incarceration did not prevent him from winning the hotly contested legislative rerun. The declaration concludes months of political tension and legal battles surrounding the rerun, which was ordered by the Election Petition Appeal Tribunal.
The rerun itself was plagued by violence and clashes among rival political parties at several polling units, leading to a temporary deadlock. However, Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information & Voter Education Committee, confirmed in an official update that the elections in both Enugu and Kano States had finally been concluded after earlier attempts were “stalled by violence and thuggery.”
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Olumekun stated: “Two re-run elections by order of the Election Petition Appeal Tribunals were held in Enugu and Kano States. After previous disruptions of the elections in the two States by violence and thuggery, the elections have now been concluded. Declaration and return were made by the Returning Officers.
For the Enugu South 1 State Constituency of Enugu State, Ngene Bright Emeka of the Labour Party (LP) was declared winner.”
Rex Achumie, INEC’s spokesman in Enugu, also confirmed Ngene’s victory to reporters.
The victory was celebrated by Labour Party supporters, who hailed it as a triumph for democracy and a rejection of intimidation.
Despite the legal victory, questions linger about how Ngene’s prison term will affect his ability to serve as a lawmaker. Constitutional lawyer Daniel.
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Anugo told News Point Nigeria that the case could set a new precedent in Nigeria’s electoral and judicial systems regarding the eligibility of individuals serving sentences to hold public office.
Anugo added that Ngene’s legal team and the Labour Party are likely to “initiate processes to secure his release or obtain judicial clarifications on his mandate.”
For now, Bright Ngene has secured a seat at the Enugu State House of Assembly, marking one of the most unusual victories in Nigeria’s democratic history.
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